Ex-Wife is a Big Villainess
Chapter 723 - 358: The Death of the Emperor!_2

Chapter 723: Chapter 358: The Death of the Emperor!_2

"Jiang Wan?"

Yeying raised an eyebrow.

Zhuge Xuanji stroked his beard and shook his head: "Yes, or perhaps not, only he knows clearly in his own heart. In any case, I instructed you to act today; there will absolutely be no mistake."

He suddenly lowered his voice and asked: "How did the collaboration with Zhou Kang go?"

Zhou Kang, the Second Prince of Dazhou.

He is also the younger brother of the former Crown Prince, Zhou Wei.

Back when Consort Lan’s family was involved in a carriage incident, they clashed twice with Jiang Shouzhong, and Zhou Kang was among them.

But compared to Zhou Wei and the Third Prince Zhou Yin, his presence has always been weak, and his public persona is that of a hedonistic dandy who loves alcohol and has no ambition.

After Zhou Wei’s death, Consort Lan was banished to the harem, and the little princess Zhou Xiyue was killed. Meanwhile, he was sent to Western Shu by the Emperor to become a prince, enjoying a leisurely and indulgent life.

Few people within the court paid any attention to him.

"I originally thought that guy would be too timid to come to the Capital, but he turned out to have quite the courage, bringing his entire family fortune with him."

Yeying said, "Moreover, he’s managed to bribe the city guards, which is quite surprising."

Zhuge Xuanji said: "Born into the royal family, few are simple figures; they all have their eyes on that position. The former Crown Prince Zhou Wei was humble by nature but lacked boldness, and he became a pawn for the Emperor’s sacrifices.

At present, the Third Prince, the new Crown Prince, is decent, but his fortunes are poor. If he had stayed in the Imperial Palace, perhaps he could have stabilized the situation. Unfortunately, he went to the Ten Thousand Mountains.

As for those two princesses, they were brainless fools; their deaths were not unexpected. The only one left is this Second Prince Zhou Kang.

This lad has been hiding his abilities, understanding how to restrain himself.

Moreover, with Consort Lan banished to the harem and Zhou Wei dead due to a conspiracy, he was still safely sent to Western Shu as a prince, which in itself explains a lot. You need to be cautious in your collaboration with him."

Yeying nodded her head: "Don’t worry, I’ll be careful."

Zhuge Xuanji walked out of the door and looked toward the Imperial Palace, muttering:

"The time has come for a change, and the world is destined to enter an era of fierce competition among heroes. Who can, ultimately, be the last one laughing?"

——

In the court, all the officials stood solemnly.

The Golden Throne Hall, which had previously been damaged by Yan Changqing’s sword strike, had been newly renovated, including the dragon chair that Zhou Chang now sat on, which had been replaced with a grander and more majestic golden dragon chair.

It was as if nothing had ever happened.

The civil and military officials avoided mentioning it, all pretending to be oblivious.

"Where is Yuan Anjiang?"

Zhou Chang didn’t see that figure with the always straight waist and back among the officials and asked aloud.

An official from the censors’ office hurriedly replied: "Your Majesty, Guo Lao is gravely ill. Mr. Yuan has been staying by his teacher’s side, fulfilling his filial duties. He reported to the cabinet earlier..."

As the official spoke, Zhou Chang suddenly remembered the note he had approved.

"Understood."

He waved his hand, somewhat regretfully.

Previously, Yuan Anjiang had opposed him imprisoning the Ran Family and had even united with other officials to submit numerous memorials, speaking strongly and making this Emperor very angry.

In addition, Yuan Anjiang had always pleaded for Jiang Shouzhong, further irritating Zhou Chang.

If not for the face of his teacher, he would have been dragged outside for a beating long ago.

Today he had planned to take advantage of the Asura Queen’s opportunity to thoroughly embarrass Yuan Anjiang, but the other’s absence left Zhou Chang slightly disappointed.

Zhou Chang collected his thoughts, gazed at the officials below, and then glanced at the bright and sunny sky outside the hall, feeling inexplicably touched. He slowly spoke:

"It is said: Knowing that success will ultimately lead to failure, one’s desire for success need not be too strong. Knowing that life ultimately leads to death, one need not exhaust oneself for survival. Do you think life and death, success and failure, should be left to fate?"

His gaze swept over the ministers.

The officials all lowered their heads, none daring to speak.

The silence in the hall was frightening.

No one was a fool; they had all noticed the changes in Zhou Chang these days, sensing the anger and murderous intent constantly emanating from the sovereign.

Especially since Yan Changqing’s sword strike, which had shamed the Emperor.

Even though the sky was bright and sunny, everyone felt a sense of impending doom.

At this time, no one wanted to tempt fate.

Fortunately, Zhou Chang, in a good mood, did not trouble them too much and answered himself: "Life and death can be left to fate. But success and failure cannot.

Since ascending the throne, countless have advised me to go with the flow, to retreat, to let it go, to give up my dream of uniting the world and just live out this life peacefully.

Why do they advise me?

Because they do not believe in me, because... they are afraid!"

Zhou Chang smacked the armrest heavily.

The ministers in the hall shuddered with fear, all kneeling on the ground.

"Come in."

Zhou Chang said indifferently.

The crowd was a bit puzzled, unaware of whom the Emperor was allowing in.

Instinctively turning their heads, they saw a graceful, coldly beautiful woman with a black dress and red hair slowly enter the hall.

Those officials who recognized Ran Qingchen were all shocked.

"Master."

The woman walked to the bottom of the steps and nodded respectfully.

In the grand and resplendent hall, she was like a dark lotus.

Clearly out of place in this luxurious environment, yet somehow she stood out vividly in this splendor.

Zhou Chang stood up, hands behind his back.

He looked toward the vast sky outside the hall, his gaze seemingly penetrating the clouds, directly into the nine heavens: "The Jianghu may be vast, but it cannot compare to the immensity of the heavens and earth. Swords and blades may be sharp, yet they cannot withstand my iron cavalry!

Today, I will proclaim to the world: This Dazhou is my domain, and this world is my world!

Whether it’s Yanrong, the Demon Clan, or any of those Jianghu sects in Dazhou... granting them life is a benevolence. Not granting them life is destiny!"

In the hall, everyone felt a stern and proud aura, and their hearts were immensely shocked.

"Long live the Emperor! Long live, long live, long live!"

Someone shouted first, and others followed suit.

But at this moment, a sigh echoed in the hall.

"Zhou Chang, oh Zhou Chang."

A soft voice, laced with contempt and pity, stood out sharply among the shouts of the ministers.

Everyone was stunned, instinctively looking toward the source of the voice.

It was Ran Qingchen.

Ran Qingchen gracefully twirled her jade fingers, brushing her blood-red hair, and walked step by step up the stairs, elegant and composed.

Zhou Chang frowned: "Who allowed you to come up here, get down!"

However, the woman acted as if she hadn’t heard.

The black mist surrounding her began to spread gradually.

Suddenly, Zhou Chang had a bad premonition. He clenched his five fingers, attempting to use the Blood-lock Gu to teach a lesson to this impudent woman who had forgotten her previous pain.

But at this moment, he was shocked to find that the Blood-lock Gu didn’t work!

His connection to the Asura Queen was completely severed.

What’s going on?

A chill rose from his feet all the way up to his head.

"You know, you really messed up a winning hand."

Ran Qingchen’s dark lips curled slightly into a smile, "You were too impatient and too arrogant. If you had calmed down and thought about it, you would have realized that... the supposedly suppressed soul of the Asura Queen was merely a wisp of Divine Sense.

So many problems and unexpected occurrences, yet you insisted on trusting your intuition, trusting your judgment, without a hint of doubt. It was foolishly reckless.

You shouldn’t have released me so early; that was the only place that could trap me."

Ran Qingchen stood in front of Zhou Chang, her eyes full of mockery.

Zhou Chang wanted to call for the Inner Guard, to call for Zhao Wuxiu, but he found he couldn’t open his mouth, all sounds were suppressed in his throat, his face swelling red.

He wanted to flee, but found his legs as if nailed down, unable to move.

Meanwhile, everyone in the hall was already petrified with fear.

No one dared to step forward.

"Let me tell you a secret, the Blood Lock Array was personally crafted by yours truly."

Looking at the incredulous face of the Emperor, Ran Qingchen said each word slowly: "Let me tell you another secret... Ran Qingchen is indeed the true Asura Queen, or rather, in her previous life, she was the Asura Queen."

Slap!

The woman lightly patted Zhou Chang on the shoulder.

The man who stood at the pinnacle of power in Dazhou fell to his knees with a thud.

His leg bones fractured.

The splintered bones pierced through his flesh.

Zhou Chang broke out in a cold sweat from the pain, unable even to let out a scream.

Ran Qingchen sat on the dragon chair, habitually combing her hair. Her blood-red strands swayed gently between her fingers like crimson chains under the night sky, adding to her allure and mystery.

"It really feels good to sit up high."

"Doesn’t it?"

Ran Qingchen’s cold and deep eyes looked at Zhou Chang, placing her five fingers atop his head.

Bang!

Zhou Chang’s head exploded under her grip.